1. A tentative definition of Social Devaluation Module: Social Devaluation and its consequences

2. Devaluation is not the same as: Being rude, impolite, discourteous Disliking a person (we may devalue people whom we dislike, but we may devalue people whom we do not know) Making demands upon a person

3. Social Devaluation Definition The attribution of low, even no value To a person or group By another person or group On the basis of some characteristic (usually a difference) Perceived as negatively significant by the devaluer

4. How do people become devalued in the eyes of others?  Every society has certain qualities and conditions which are regarded as positive or negative  Some conditions are highly regarded in some cultures and not in others  The judgment depends on the particular society

5. Western Society values…..  Wealth, material possessions  Health, beauty, fitness  Youth, newness  Intelligence, competence and independence  Productivity and achievement  Individualism and choice  Pleasure

6. Typical Life Experiences of People who are Devalued Identity reduced to that of an impairment Likely to have low social status/standing Likely to be rejected Likely to be cast into negative social roles

7. The Major Negative Roles into which Devalued People Are Placed 1. Sub-human; Object, Animal, Vegetable 2. Menace, Object of Fear 3. Object of Ridicule 4. Object of Pity 5. Burden: Of Charity, On others 6. Child: Eternally, Once again 7. Client (forever, for everything) 8. Sick 9. Garbage, Discard 10. Dead, Dying, Better off dead

8. The Major Negative Roles into which Devalued People Are Placed 1. Sub-human; Object

9. The Major Negative Roles into which Devalued People Are Placed 1. Sub-human; Object, Animal

10. The Major Negative Roles into which Devalued People Are Placed 1. Sub-human; Object, Animal, Vegetable 2. Menace, Object of Fear

11. The Major Negative Roles into which Devalued People Are Placed 1. Sub-human; Object, Animal, Vegetable 2. Menace, Object of Fear 3. Object of Ridicule

12. The Major Negative Roles into which Devalued People Are Placed 1. Sub-human; Object, Animal, Vegetable 2. Menace, Object of Fear 3. Object of Ridicule 4. Object of Pity

13. The Major Negative Roles into which Devalued People Are Placed 1. Sub-human; Object, Animal, Vegetable 2. Menace, Object of Fear 3. Object of Ridicule 4. Object of Pity 5. Burden: Of Charity, On Others

14. The Major Negative Roles into which Devalued People Are Placed 1. Sub-human; Object, Animal, Vegetable 2. Menace, Object of Fear 3. Object of Ridicule 4. Object of Pity 5. Burden: Of Charity, On Others 6. Child: Eternally, Once again

15. The Major Negative Roles into which Devalued People Are Placed 1. Sub-human; Object, Animal, Vegetable 2. Menace, Object of Fear 3. Object of Ridicule 4. Object of Pity 5. Burden: Of Charity, On Others 6. Child: Eternally, Once again 7. Client (forever, for everything)

17. The Major Negative Roles into which Devalued People Are Placed 1. Sub-human; Object, Animal, Vegetable 2. Menace, Object of Fear 3. Object of Ridicule 4. Object of Pity 5. Burden: Of Charity, On Others 6. Child: Eternally, Once again 7. Client (forever, for everything) 8. Sick

18. The Major Negative Roles into which Devalued People Are Placed 1. Sub-human; Object, Animal, Vegetable 2. Menace, Object of Fear 3. Object of Ridicule 4. Object of Pity 5. Burden: Of Charity, On Others 6. Child: Eternally, Once again 7. Client (forever, for everything) 8. Sick 9. Garbage, Discard

20. The Major Negative Roles into which Devalued People Are Placed 1. Sub-human; Object, Animal, Vegetable 2. Menace, Object of Fear 3. Object of Ridicule 4. Object of Pity 5. Burden: Of Charity, On Others 6. Child: Eternally, Once again 7. Client (forever, for everything) 8. Sick 9. Garbage, Discard 10. Dead, Dying, Better off dead

21. Ways in Which People are Marked 1. Where people spend their time (setting) 2. With whom people spend their time (grouping) 3. What people spend their time doing (use of time and activity) 4. What people look like (image and competency) 5. How people are spoken about (language)

22. Typical life experiences contd. Loss of control of one’s own life and reputation Disruption of relationships (friends, family, community) Loss of natural, freely given relationships

23. Common forms of control of people who are devalued Being kept dependent upon individual service providers or agencies Having to deal with, and report to agencies, offices, authorities Having to fill out forms, often without being able to cope with them Being ‘labelled’ Being moved about Having ones life wasted

24. An Internalised Sense of Worthlessness Awareness of being a source of anguish to others Personal insecurity Dislike of self Hatred & persecution of others, even ones supporters Seeing self as a failure

25. Impact of social devaluation and wounding It impacts at many levels (individual, family, service system, society) It is not good for anyone at any level but particularly hurtful and harmful to people who are devalued and their families We all experience some ‘wounds’ in our lives but there are differences